The Alpha’s Regret Claiming His Luna novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Birthday Party and Hidden Truths

Chapter 2: Birthday Party and Hidden Truths

(Olivia’s POV)

Ethan instinctively brushed off Cassandra’s hand from around his arm, causing her expression

to freeze. The gesture was quick, almost panicked.

“I’m also a friend of Sophie’s. Is it strange that I’m here for her birthday party?” I smiled faintly

at him, keeping my voice light despite the storm brewing inside me.

“No, I just thought you didn’t like these kinds of gatherings, so I didn’t tell you in advance,”

Ethan replied, his voice strained.

A wave of disdain washed over me. Did he really not tell me because of my supposed

preferences, or was he hiding the fact he planned to bring someone else? The answer was

painfully obvious.

Ethan’s cold blue gaze swept the room as if silently demanding, “Who invited her here?”

I noticed Sophie avoiding his eyes with guilt, pretending it had nothing to do with her. So much

for friendship.

The woman beside Ethan stepped forward with a bright smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Hello, you must be Olivia Winters. I’m Cassandra Evans. You’ve probably heard Ethan mention

me, right?”

So, this was Ethan’s first love, the one who had left him heartbroken. Despite the suffocating

pain in my chest–three years of genuine affection not easily erased–I masked my feelings

well, lips curved in a polite greeting.

“Miss Evans, I’ve heard so much about you.” The lie slipped easily from my lips. In truth, Ethan

had barely mentioned her.

Cassandra smiled sweetly yet provocatively. “Has anyone told you we actually look alike?”

At those words, Ethan’s face darkened instantly. The resemblance between us was his dirty

little secret, the reason he’d approached me in the first place. Now it was being laid bare for

everyone to see.

I glanced mockingly at him, then smiled with innocent amber eyes at Cassandra. “Oh? Really? I don’t think so–I’m prettier.”

< Chapter 2. Birthday Party and

+25 Puntos >

The room fell silent. Several people gasped softly. Wasn’t I always the gentle, obedient type? The one who never talked back? The perfect, accommodating girlfriend? My wolf, Cora, purred

with satisfaction at my newfound backbone.

Sophie hurried over, her face a mask of forced cheerfulness. “Let’s not stand around! Come in,

have some drinks!”

Cassandra forced a smile, suppressing her annoyance, and handed over her gift. “Happy birthday, Soph.”

When Sophie unwrapped it, her eyes widened. “Wow, this is the pendant I’ve wanted for so

long. Thank you, Cassandra.”

Then she opened my gift bag, and her expression shifted to confusion. “Wow! Liv, you got me

the same necklace!”

I watched as she held up two identical platinum wolf pendants, both gleaming under the party lights. What were the odds?

Suddenly, Victoria Reed, a woman in Sophie’s circle who had always looked down on me,

sneered loudly. “Must be fake. That platinum pendant costs more than five thousand dollars.

Olivia’s just a little lawyer–how could she afford something like that?”

The room fell silent, judgmental eyes converging on me. Even Ethan’s expression soured.

“If you’re short on money, you could have told me. I could have helped with the gift…why would

you-” He stopped himself, but the implication was clear to everyone.

Why would you give a fake? Though he couldn’t finish the sentence, his meaning was

unmistakable.

I met his gaze coldly. “Do you also think mine is fake, Ethan?”

He said nothing, tacitly admitting it. Three years together, and he still thought so little of me.

Sophie tried to smooth things over, her voice artificially bright. “Of course it’s not fake! We’re

good friends; she wouldn’t do that. Don’t be so harsh.”

But from her eyes, I glimpsed disdain and suspicion. My heart chilled further. I had bought the expensive pendant to thank Sophie for past kindness–after all, when I’d arrived alone in Harbor City three years ago, cut off by my family for refusing the arranged marriage with Connor Rivers, Sophie had stood up for me when others ostracized me as an outsider without

wealth or connections.

I once naively believed Sophie was truly different. How ridiculous.

“If you were short on money, you could have bought something cheaper instead of giving a fake. You know you embarrassed me in front of everyone, right?”

When I finished my game and looked up, I caught him staring at Cassandra, who was being

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<Chapter 2: Birthday Party and.

+25 Puntos >

coaxed into drinking wine by Sophie and Victoria. His eyes followed her every movement, filled

with concern and something deeper.

Ethan initially restrained himself, but when Cassandra reached her fourth glass, he abruptly

stood and strode over, snatching the wine from her hand.

“Your stomach’s sensitive to alcohol. Are you trying to make yourself sick?” His voice was

sharp with worry.

Everyone fell silent at his sudden outburst. Cassandra’s cheeks flushed with anger and

shyness. “Why do you care?”

“You’re not drinking anymore,” he said coldly, glaring at the others. “Try forcing her again and

see what happens.”

The crowd avoided his eyes, intimidated by Ethan’s authority. No one dared challenge the Grey

pack’s future Alpha.

I watched this display with a mocking smile. Three years together, and he had never once

shown such concern for my wellbeing. Yet here he was, publicly fussing over Cassandra after

just days of her return.

As Cassandra tried to snatch back her glass, Ethan held it high out of reach. She lost her

balance and stumbled into his arms. He instinctively steadied her with his other hand.

“Careful. After all these years, you still haven’t improved your balance.” His voice was soft,

intimate, filled with shared history.

Cassandra, cheeks rosy, gazed up at him and pouted. “Ethan, you’re really annoying.”

Laughter and teasing erupted around them. The chemistry between them was undeniable,

their connection obvious to everyone in the room.

Just as Ethan was about to respond, he unexpectedly met my icy, piercing gaze.